Combo Mill/Lathes. Using both simultaneously with mill on saddle.

B

Bluetopsteering

Plastic

Joined

May 27, 2013

Location

North Dakota USA

• Sep 28, 2017

• #1

I'm in the market for a combo mill/lathe that I can use to mill new bearing ways for worm shafts. I currently am using a manual rotary table on my knee mill but turning the handle by hand is inconsistent. I have considered a powered rotary table but have been looking for a combo machine that would be much easier to use without having to set up rotary table everytime. I've looked at a few different manufacturers and it seems that all the mill heads are fixed in place so I was wondering if anyone has seen one that is attached to the saddle or is moveable to get closer/farther from headstock. Also wondering if these machines can be run simultaneously or if there are safety features in place. Thanks much!

Ryan

 

L

lionelt

Stainless

Joined

Nov 25, 2010

Location

Oxfordshire

• Sep 28, 2017

• #2

Is your mill large enough to mount a bench lathe on the cross slide?

 

SIP6A

Titanium

Joined

May 29, 2003

Location

Temperance, Michigan

• Sep 28, 2017

• #3

Any home shop grade mill/turn isn't going to be rigid enough to do that nor are you going to be able to turn the lathe slow enough to mill.

 

B

Bluetopsteering

Plastic

Joined

May 27, 2013

Location

North Dakota USA

• Sep 28, 2017

• #4

Yes it is, it is 10x54 so that would actually work pretty well if I were to buy one of those smaller bench lathes. My mill has an 8" extension so spindle to table distance is better than average. Thanks for the good idea!

 

B

Bluetopsteering

Plastic

Joined

May 27, 2013

Location

North Dakota USA

• Sep 28, 2017

• #5

ok good thought to consider also. Thanks!

 

D

DDoug

Diamond

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

Location

NW Pa

• Sep 28, 2017

• #6

The combo machines are best discussed over at the home shop forum.

 

7

72bwhite

Titanium

Joined

Sep 26, 2012

Location

California, Ventura county

• Sep 28, 2017

• #7

sounds like meat for a live tooled cnc lathe

 

Jersey John

Stainless

Joined

May 29, 2015

Location

Beccles / Suffolk, United Kingdom

• Sep 28, 2017

• #8

Bluetopsteering said:

I'm in the market for a combo mill/lathe that I can use to mill new bearing ways for worm shafts. Thanks much! Ryan

Click to expand...

Really don't think you'll achieve Ryan ... the phrase "Jack of all trades - master of NONE" springs to mind!

John

 

B

Bluetopsteering

Plastic

Joined

May 27, 2013

Location

North Dakota USA

• Oct 1, 2017

• #9

I appreciate everyone's help and comments! I've been eyeing a Tormach CNC for some time now but can't get myself to throw $18,000 +- in that direction yet. I broke down the other night and bought a powered rotary table that should work beings my manual rotary table did the trick.